Erik solved a crossword puzzle on Monday. By Thursday, he could not remember the words in the puzzle. On Thursday night when he was playing a word game with his best friend, however, he unconsciously used words that were in the puzzle. Erik's experience is an example of _____ memory.

• A. procedural
• B. declarative (explicit)
• C. nondeclarative (implicit)
• D. episodic

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Begin by understanding the types of memory involved in Erik's experience. Procedural memory refers to the knowledge of how to perform tasks, such as riding a bike, which is not relevant here.
2. Declarative memory, also known as explicit memory, involves conscious recall of facts and events. Erik's inability to consciously recall the words from the puzzle suggests this is not the type of memory at play.
3. Nondeclarative memory, or implicit memory, involves unconscious recall and influences behavior without conscious awareness. Erik's use of words from the puzzle during the word game indicates this type of memory.
4. Episodic memory is a subtype of declarative memory that involves recalling personal experiences and specific events. Since Erik is not recalling the event of solving the puzzle, episodic memory is not applicable.
5. Conclude that Erik's experience is an example of nondeclarative (implicit) memory, as he unconsciously used words from the puzzle without actively recalling them.